Coming Home: Returning

Hey there everyone! Yes, this is a new work in progress. Its slightly AU, well, more like back in time. I know I was planning on finishing up Together before this went up, but I'm so far ahead it doesn't really matter.

Everything up to Jason asking Elizabeth to come with him and leave town happens. Elizabeth says no and Jason leaves town. From there he ends up not working for Sonny anymore. He travels around the globe and ends up meeting Isabella, whom he marries and has a child with. After Isabella dies Jason and his four-year-old son, Rider, move back to Port Charles. For my wants, Jason is 25 – I don't want that much of an age gap, though it doesn't really matter. All of the things Elizabeth went through on the show happened. She and Lucky ended up breaking up after the whole mind control thing was over. She is now with Ric, who is NOT Sonny's brother. But she's been regretting not going with Jason that day. She has feelings for Ric but can't help but want another chance with Jason. There is no Courtney in this story. Emily has not had breast cancer either. She is home though and played by Amber Tamblyn. And still with Zander, though it won't come up too much.

If anyone has any questions, email me or ask it in a review. Speaking of reviews, I'm letting everyone know now that I am just feeling things out with this story. If you want me to post what I have of it, then you've got to let me know. That's up to all of you. For some reason I have been in this insane writing mood, in fact, this month alone I've posted two new WIPs and one song fic/one shot. Of course, by the time I get around to posting this (today is January 22nd) there could be more.

As of today (August 23, 2004) I have twenty-two chapters.

----------------------------------Corinthos Penthouse

Michael Corinthos ran around the room with his plane, pretending to be a pilot while his mother encouraged him with her laughing. Sonny shook his head with laughter also. Though, inside, he was in anything but a laughing mood.

His best friend was coming back home. And to the Corinthos' that was more than enough of a cause for celebration. In addition to that, Jason was brining his son with him. Sonny had been over the moon at that phone call. He'd only met the little boy twice. And from what he had seen, Rider was very much like his father.

But it was everything else that had him worried. Jason had made it clear that he would not be returning to the business. Which was fine with Sonny. If anything, he was happy that his friend was out. He had a son to take care of now. Jason didn't need the money, he no longer looked for danger has had he'd once done, and he had something to live for. While Sonny had been fine with that, it was the rest of the people of Port Charles that would have a problem with it. The five families might not trust that Jason would keep quiet about the inner workings of Port Charles like he was. And that made him nervous.

It could make Jason and his son a target. And that worried the hell out of him. Also, the idiots of the Port Charles Police Department wouldn't buy that Jason no longer worked for him that easily. All of it was a security nightmare. And now that Jason wasn't his partner anymore, it meant that he was a family member Sonny would need to protect from the mob. Jason's son included.

Carly glanced over to him worried. She knew that Sonny was trying his hardest to not show her his fears. But she knew him. Though, hopefully seeing Jason again would calm him down.

------------------------------------Quartermaine Mansion

Emily paced the room after getting off the phone with her brother. He was coming home. And he had asked her only one favor.

Tell the family.

He'd said that he didn't want to shock them when he arrived at the mansion. Also he wanted them on their best behavior when they saw his son when he came over the next day for breakfast. So that meant warning them before hand. Sounded easy to the casual observer. But that was if you didn't know the Quartermaines.

They knew that Jason had a son and was married. But that was about it. Lila knew all about her brother's life outside of Port Charles, and she and Emily were the only ones of the family that had all of the information. Emily wasn't too keen on giving out all of the info to the family. She was happy that he was coming home, and that she got to see her nephew again. But she was worried about Jason. His wife had just died three months ago after all. And now Jason alone was raising a four-year-old boy. Yes, a mature extremely smart four year old, but still.

Emily had actually been somewhat amazed by Jason's son. Not only did he look exactly like Jason with the higher cheekbones, ice blue eyes, tanned skin and blonde hair. But he seemed to be like Jason in other respects too. You had to earn Rider's trust, if not he was quieter and very to the point. But once he started to trust you, he let you see a whole other side. That was where he got somewhat different from Jason. More like his mother. Rider could be extremely funny and loud once you got to know him. He was always smiling and ready to make you smile with him. He was more talkative than his father. Though, they both had the same mannerisms.

And not to mention that Jason's son was smart as hell. She didn't know many four year olds who could point out to you almost any constellation in the night sky. Also Rider was a pretty good reader for someone two years ahead of the game. While he loved the travel books that his father read with him, he was also a fairy tale lover. Those he read alone generally. At least now he did. Emily remembered Isabella to be a bit of a dreamer, the fairy tales were something she passed to her son. He hadn't gotten it from Jason. The travel books and at least one fact about most countries were what he had gotten from Jason, reading material wise.

Emily was startled out of her thoughts by the sounds of the family's yelling. Deciding that she might as well just tell them now while they were all together, Emily hurried down the stairs to the den.

"Edward, you leave AJ alone!" Her mother's voice called out. Emily rolled her eyes and opened the door to the den.

"Monica, I will not have you coddle him!" Edward told her, yelling equally as loud.

"Um, guys? If you could all take a AJ bashing break, I have something you need to know." Emily told them. They all stopped for a second to look at her.

"Are you alright, sweetheart?" her mother asked her as she walked closer. Emily took a second to take stock of the room's occupants. Her parents, brother, grandparents and cousin were the all there. At least she wouldn't have to go through this more than once.

"Yeah, I'm fine Mom. I just have some news."

"Well, get on with it!" Edward encouraged. He threw his arms in the air to signify his impatience.

Rolling her eyes Emily started up, "Well, Jason asked me to tell everyone that he and his son are coming home. And that they are coming here for breakfast tomorrow." Emily then braced herself for the blast.

But surprisingly enough it didn't come. Edward just blinked. Ned smiled, being the one who was very fond of his cousin. AJ looked mildly surprised. But it was her parent's reaction that broke her heart. They looked so happy and hopeful. She suddenly remembered how much they loved and missed Jason.

Monica's hand was to her mouth. "Really Emily? He's coming home?" Alan held his breath as he waited for Emily's answer. He had desperately wanted a second chance with his youngest son. And now that Jason had a son it only intensified the need.

"Jason and Rider are really coming back to Port Charles." Emily assured them.

"Rider?" Edward questioned, with a frown. Emily mentally slapped herself, they didn't know what Jason had named his son.

"Jason's son. Rider Alan Morgan. He's four. And looks amazingly like Jason." Emily said. She saw her father's sharp intake of breath at the name Jason had chosen for his son. Emily herself didn't know what made Jason add the Alan for a middle name.

"Rider Alan?" her father asked. The amazement and joy were clearly present in his voice. Shock was also tinged in his voice. Emily couldn't blame him, she'd been surprised too. When she had asked Jason if Rider was named after their father, he'd said yes. But would remain quiet whenever she asked him why. She hadn't pushed the issue too much at the time. It was her first visit of four to Jason and Isabella's home. Rider had been an infant at the time, a cute on at that. After that she went back for two weeks out of each summer. It wasn't a bad deal. They lived on an island, so in addition to seeing her brother and nephew she also got to be on one of the best beaches she had ever seen.

"Jason said the Alan was after you. But every time I asked why, he just got quiet. I don't know why he put Alan in there. You can ask him yourself tomorrow when he and Rider come by. Maybe you'll have better luck than I did. Of course, I didn't try that hard, it was difficult to formulate words around Rider he was so cute." Emily smiled.

"And how is he doing Emily? Rider also, I have been most worried." Lila asked her. They had both been worried about the condition of Jason and Rider since the death of Isabella.

"Why would you be worried Grandmother?" Ned chimed in.

Emily winced, forgetting that little detail. "Jason's wife and Rider's mother, Isabella, died in a fire three months ago. That's what made him decide to come home I think."

-------------------------------------Port Charles Airport

Rider clung to his father during the landing. The little boy usually had no problems with planes. In fact, they had traveled often with him. But landings and take off generally scared him. Jason usually tried to get him to sleep before them but today his son was too excited.

"Its gonna crash!" the four year old cried out, just like he did every single time. Jason held him tighter and kissed his forehead.

"We aren't going to crash, Ri." He assured him. The plane backed up his words as they rolled to a safe stop. Rider slowly loosened the death grip he had on his father. Then he anxiously looked out the tiny window.

"Are we there?"

"Yeah, we're there." Jason informed him as he got up and put all of Rider's toys back in the carry on bag they'd brought with them. The plane door opened and Johnny and Francis walked in, grinning from ear to ear.

"Hey man! Welcome home." Johnny greeted as he clapped Jason on the back. Jason watched Rider eye the two men cautiously. As Francis moved to shake Jason's hand and greet him Rider came over and reached his arms up for Jason to pick him up. What looked like a simple gesture to the other two men, or even that they made the little boy nervous wasn't the truth for Jason. He knew his son had come over to try and protect his father. After Rider's mother died he had become protective of his remaining parent.

"Hey Rider! I'm Johnny, and this brute here is Francis. Don't worry about him though, he fights like a girl." Johnny teased. He held his hand out for Rider to shake. Rider looked to see his father nod in reassurance and then proceeded to slap Johnny five.

"Hi."

"Don't listen to him Rider, I'm not a brute. And I don't fight like a girl. But if you really want to know whose the girly one here, its Johnny, he sings along to Barry Manilow in the car." Francis informed the blondes. Rider did the same ritual as he had with Johnny for Francis. All the while Johnny pretended to give Francis the death glare.

"I don't want any music playing in the car then!" Jason declared, smiling. He suddenly felt better about his choice to return home.

Liason is coming into play next chapter. That is, if there is a next chapter! All up to you guys. Please, let me know what you think. Also if you want more. If you do want me to continue updating, I'll be updating once every week, mostly in part to the fact that this story is pre-written and pretty much done. Once a week on the same day would mean that you all don't have to wait weeks for updates cause I'm lazy. And if I set it to just once a week, I won't be tempted to go post chapter after chapter. Just letting you all know.

REVIEW! PLEASE!